Operating railway-switches



(No Model.)

R. P. GARSED. Operating Railway Switches. N6. 237,381. Patented Feb. 8,1881."

".PETERS, PHOWLITHOGRAPHER. WASNINGYONA D C.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT P. GARSED, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

OPERATING RAI LWAY-SWITCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,381, dated February 8, 1881.

Application filed September 10, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT P. GARsEn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Air andFluid ()perated Railway-Switches, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the improvement in railway-switches embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly sectional. Fig. 3 is a transverse section thereof in line no a, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a combined air and fluid pump. Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations of different means for imparting motions to the pumping apparatus. Fig. 7 is a top or plan view of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a view of a modification of the pump, and Fig. 9 is a view of a modifica' tion of the setting-arms of the switch.

Similar letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists in operating an air or fluid pump, or both, by the action of a passing train, and communicating the power'of the air or fluid, or both, to the mechanism connected to the rails of the switch, whereby the switch may be shifted or opened and shut with rapidity and power and without jarring, the operation being accomplished by a train passing in any direction.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the rails of the main track; B, the rails of the side track or intersection, and Othe rails of the switch. Adjacent to or a suitable distancefrom the pivoted end of the switch-rails are mounted two bevel-pinions, a a, both of which mesh with abevel-pinion, I), having a vertical axis suitably mounted. Attached toeach pinion a isa crankshaft, 0, extending transversely and carrying setting-rods D, which project in such manner that they may be struck or engaged by suitable wheels, levers, or other means connected to the train, under control of the engineer or other suitable person thereon. To the crankshaft 0 are attached rods cl, Fig'. 4, which carry pistons c of pump cylinders or barrels f, which are located in a suitable pit beneath the roadbed. Passing from and communicating with the foot of each cylinder f is a pipe, E E, extending to the plunger-cylinders F F, which are located in a suitable pit beneath the head end of the switch, four such plunger-cylinders being shown in the present case. Above the projecting ends or tops of the plungers F of the cylinder is mounted a T-shaped arm, G, the horizontal limbs-of which overhang said ends or tops of the plungers, and the upright limb is pivoted to the connecting-bar H of the switch-rails, at the head thereof. Pivoted to oppositeends of the horizontal limb of the arm G are bent or curved levers J, resting at one end on the top of the plungers F, and having the other end engaging with bolts K, which are fitted to the horizontal limbs of the arm G and adapted to enter openings or keepers g in the sidewalls of the pit in which the plungercylinders F and arm G are located, springs It being connected to proper parts of said bolts K and the arm G, for the purpose of returning said bolts to their normal positions in the openings or keepers g.

L. represents a barrel or tank containing water, oil, or other fluid placed in the pit convenient to the pipes E, which connect the plunger-cylinders F, the pipes E, which connect the plunger-cylinders F, communiicatin g with said pipes E and tank L by means of a fourway and T, E, each pipe E having a checkvalve, k, and each pipe E having a checkvalve, is, the barrel or tank communicating with the pipes E E by means of a pipe, L, 1

and the four-way and T E. which communicate with the plun gencylinders F, extend to and communicate with pump cylinders'or barrels f, located in a suitable pit or chamber opposite to the location of the barrels f, and crank-shafts O. Gearing ab, and setting-arm D are provided for operation of the pistons of said pump cylinders or barrels f The operation is as follows: When the train is approaching the switch in the direction of arrow 1 the proper person on the train depresses a lever or rod, shifts a wheel or other mechanism so as to strike the desired settingarm, (in the present case on the right-hand side,) which is elevated. Theeffectof this is to rotate the relative crank-shaft c and operate the pump cf, the other crank-shaft 0 being also rotated through the medium of the gearing a I), so as to raise the other setting-arm D. The pipes E E E E E-E are filled with fluid from the tankL, as are also the barrels f to the under side of the pistons. The descent of the piston, byv the action of the shaft 0, as has The pipes E, l

" cent limb of the arm G, thus throwing the bar H and connected switch-rails to the left, and setting the switch for ,the rails B B. Should the next following train desire to run on the main tracks A A, the engineer or other person causes the left-hand setting-arm D to be struck, and thus, by the intermediate mechanism, the

- plunger of the left-hand cylinder F is raised,

thereby first releasing the respective bolt and then raising the adjacent end of the arm G, the switch-rails thus being thrown to theright and set for the main track, the parts being in position shown in Fig. 3. The right-hand setting-arm D has in the meantime been raised, and is in position for the shifting of the switch to the left, when so desired. Should a train come from the opposite direction and the switch not having been shifted, by striking the setting-arm of the mechanism of the one that was previously struck and which was raised by the other being pressed down, the switch will be adjusted to the other track; but should said train, by accident, strike theopposite setting-arm, the latter, or some part of the switch apparatus, would be broken therefore that setting-arm is made of parts suitably jointed or hinged to remain stiff only by being struck from one direction and yielding in the opposite direction, the hinged part returning to its normal position by the action of a spring, m, suitably applied, as in Fig. 2, it being evident that each setting-arm may be thus constructed. When the train is approaching the switch in the direction of arrow 2 the operation is similar to that statedin the former case,-the mechanism therefor being duplicated and located opposite to that for the'train running in the direction of arrow 1,'as has been stated, and the crank-arms may be extended to other tracks for trains running to the switch.

It will be noticed that when the fluid is forced to one of the plunger cylinders F, its pressure is not communicated to the opposite plunger-cylinder F. Consequently when one plunger of a cylinder F rises the other plunger is relieved from the pressure of the fluid and permitted to fall by the action of the descending limb of the arm G, the same condition existing with the plunger-cylinder F. When the plunger of the left-hand cylinder F rises, the plunger of the right-hand cylinder F is depressed and the fluid in the pipe E connected with said cylinder F in forced into the barrel f and raises the piston thereof,'s'etting the arm D connected to the crank-shaft thereof. The piston of the other pump-barrel f is depressed and forces the fluid in its pipe E into the left-hand piston-cylinder F, thus raising the plunger thereof, which is ready to be depressed by the next operation of the arm G through the movement of the setting-arm D.

It will also be noticed that as the check-valves 7c are placed between the tank L and pipes E E", the fluid is prevented from flowing back into the tank under any pressure from the pipes E E either from evaporation or otherwise. A constant supply of fluid may be maintained from the tank L, properly filled, as oocasion requires.

In order to prevent any injurious effect of an increased pressure of the fluid, caused by accidental stopping of movement of any parts of the switch mechanism, I provide a safety valve or valves, M, which may be located on any part of the pipes or cylinders, to open at a pressuresomewhatbelow theburstingstrength of said pipes; and in the presentcase the safetyvalves are located upon an air-chamber, N, which communicates with the pipe E, the air therein serving as a cushion for preventing jarring or concussion by the sudden operation of the switch mechanism.

In Fig. 4 I show a double piston, one above the other, the stem of the lower piston working through the center and tubular stemof the upper piston, each piston having a chamber or barrel, the two chambers or barrels being continuous and communicating.

It will be seen that when the connectingrod d is operated and descends, say, three inches, the lower piston moves with it to the full extent of its stroke, and the air admitted to the upper cylinder through the openings n is compressed and acts on the lower piston, and imparts further motion to the latter"- say the distance of one inch or more-if provided for. The plunger of the cylinder F is thus lifted or raised, by the combined action of .water or other liquid and air, by the two pistons, the distance of four inches or more, if provided for by the adjustment of the two pistons. The air is introduced to act upon the lower piston the more to provide an elastic cushion for preventing jarring and concussion in the operation of the switch.

The capacity of the lower part of the cylinderf regulates the height that the plunger F is forced-as, for instance, a one-inch pipe, E, and two-inch cylinder f, with piston, being used, and a stroke of one inch being given in cylinderf, the plunger F is proportionately raised. The upper end of the barrel f has a cup or peripheral channel, at or about'the base of which the openings a lead into the barrel, whereby when liquid alone is used, and when the piston e is raised above said openin gs, and the fluid in the barrel has a tendency to draw up or spill over the top of the barrel by the suction of the cylinder, it is caught by the cup 19, and returns, by its own weight, into the barrel through the openings a. When one of the plungers F is up to its fullest extent, and the arm G, by the action of the plun- 'ger on the other side, forces the first=named plunger down to its full extent, and if all of the'air in'the cylinderf had by accident escaped, the liquid pressing against the tightlyfitting piston in the lower part of the cylinder IIO IIS

f elevates the upper one to its full extent, and sets the setting-arm without permitting the escape of water above the lower piston. When air alone is used the lower piston is not essential; and it is evident that I may use in my invention either air or liquid alone, or both air and liquid combined, as a vehicle for raising the plungers of the cylinders F F", and the consequent shifting of the switch.

In Fig. 5 I show means for operating the pumps 0 f, in lieu of the crank-shafts c, Fig. 1. I employ an endless chain or band, a, which is passed around pinions c, and has projecting arms D on its outer surface. The shafts of said pinions carry cranks, to which the 0011- necting-rods of the pumps 0 f are attached. It is evident that two pumps may thus be operated, and provision is made for pumping one or both of them, as long as the setting-arm is carried along with the chain or band by the engagement of the lever, rod, wheel, &c., of the engine or other car.

A rack, c, and pinion 0 may be employed, as in, Figs. 5 and 6. On the upper face of the rack' bar is connected anupright pin, D, adapted to be shifted laterally, and return to its first position by a spring suitably applied. When said bolt is engaged by the lever, 8270., of the engine or other car it is carried forward, and with it the rack, thus rotating the crank-shaft of the pinion, and imparting motion to the connecting-rod of the pump. When the rack is about to complete its movement the pin D reaches an inclined slot in a guide-piece located at the end of the rack, whereby a lateral motion is imparted to the bolt, and it is carriedclear of the lever, &c., of the engine, 850. When the motion of the rack is made it comes in contact with a spring, as at "r, and is thus thrown back the extent of the diagonal slot, and the pin is again placed in position to be struck or engaged by the next train. The rack at its ends is not toothed the distance that it rebounds from the slotted guide, in order to avoid the rotation of the pinion on the rebound. By the employment of the endless chain or band and numerous strokes thereby imparted to the pump-piston e, where air is used alone, a check-valve is necessary to the base of the pump-cylinderf, to prevent the return of the air to the pump at each stroke of the piston. In this case, instead of using plain plunger-cylinders under the arm G, I employ cylinders having perforations at or near the top similar to those shown in Fig. 4,,to permit the escape of the air, and allow the lowering ot' the plunger upon its depression consequent to the shifting of the switch.

In Fig. 7 I show three cylinders of a certain diameter, each provided with a piston, and adapted for forcing air or other fluid in a large volume through a pipe of less diameter to the plunger-cylinders.

The gearing a b may be dispensed with and the two crank-shafts c disconnected. In this case each shaft carries four setting-arms, D, and may have a wheel or disk, to which the connecting-rods d are attached, the operation of each shaft being independent of the other, and the setting-rods adapted to work in either direction.

If desired, hinged levers may be located outside of the tracks, and receive motion from some member of the passing train, and have the same imparted to the plungers F of the cylinders F F, which latter may be upright or horizontal, the position of the arm G being arranged relatively thereto, and the pump-cylinders f may be either horizontal or upright.

The subject-matter of Fig. 5is described and claimed in a prior application of mine now allowed. Hence I do not claim it in this application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with two shafts geared to turn in opposite directions and setting-arms carried thereby, two liquid-forcing pistons, each of which is operated by one of said shafts, a lever which moves the switch-rails from side to side, and tubular connections arranged to I allow fluid to be forced through them by said pistons and to move said lever in either direction.

2. The combination of reservoir L, connected system of pipes E E E E, cylinders f F F, and their pistons, with the shafts c, geared together, and the lever for shifting the switchrails.

3. A T-shaped switch shifting lever provided with latches for locking the same at the end of either vibration, and a pneumatic or bydraulic apparatus arranged to vibrate the said lever in either direction, at will, and to withdraw the opposite latch, substantially as set forth.

4. A fluid-forcing piston having a supplementary piston attached thereto, and the latter being allowed an independent forward motion after the former stops.

5. The arm G, with bolts K, in combination with the levers J and plungers F, whereby said bolts are released in advance of the movement of said arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The cylinder f, provided with the cup 10, and perforations 71/, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The setting-arms, formed of parts hinged together and formed with restoring springs, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The series of pipes E E", with check valves is and the tank L, in combination with the plungers and cylinders F F F" and the pumping mechanisms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The fluid-operated switch and pumping mechanism, in combination with one or more air-chambers and a safety valve or valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witnesses: R. P. GARSED.

' W. F. KIROHER,

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM. 

